Fembot5

Fembot5 is an anonymous writer, activist and musician based in India. The writer's recent publication titled 'Empowerment of Women in Music' is a compelling narrative about the inequality and gender bias that exists inside the music industry in India. Introducing a brief outline of international feminist solidarity movements, the focus of the blog is mainly on India : The article throws much needed light on the extent and nature of the inequality that exists between men and women of Indian music, be it mainstream pop or underground niche. The writer comparing on-going feminist movements in the west, states "the vast body of work undertaken by women’s networks has credibly helped change the way we think about society and gender" - yet those very changes are yet to effect the massive numbers of women in India and their native talent, potential and representation. The article explains the basis of gender bias and stereotyping, that lay deeply internalized within the fabric of Indian society, which perpetuates the inequality generations on. Willy nilly institutions, media, elite glamor based systems and most music industry professionals add to the inequality as well.

The article written over 2017, which encapsulates various points through an exhaustive data-hunt and 30 odd interviews, is an on-going research of sorts - Over email, we were informed that "the research became tediously long and complex which would be not be favorable for cohesive presentation nor creating awareness". Part of the feature exposes various disturbing facts via numbers. Fembot5 states "During 2015/16/17 less than 35 women artists were featured in the ten most popular music festivals in India, where approximately 220 bands and DJs performed... " Data from corporate and institutionally funded music festivals, websites and related fields in India begins to reveal even big gender bias as well as the existence of socially entrenched stereotypes. The author expresses concern about the pitiable lack of support groups and infrastructure for women artists in India. Women's representation remains an issue much-less discussed in India, even worse occasionally glossed over by the 'industry-approved' glam dolls ! Empowerment of Women in Music : is a multifarious issue, be it in developed nations like Germany and France or emergent nations like India and China : despite the recent populism and trends, very little awareness as well as inclusivity exists in most cases and regions.

Fembot5, an anonymous entity, inside an undeniably male dominated sphere, very critical of the 'merit based system' is attempting to address very pertinent questions reinforced with facts and evidence. As well as question and point to a much wider potential for change. The power of ideas !

ELECTRONIC MUSIC IN INDIA

Hub is India’s first anthology of electronic music & the evolution of sub-cultures occurring in the last 30 years. A legitimate record of everything that’s past and currently happening in terms of music, artists and industry development. 1982 /2010. Limited Edition Independent Book.

S.I.M.A

S.I.M.A is an unique organization of music industry professionals united in the goal of building cultural and economic bridges between Asia's two most rapidly developing countries. India and China. Module 1 & 2 Compilations released in 2014 and 15 feature 12 emerging artists. SIMA, Sinotronics and Audio Pervert have created several projects under this unique network of contrasting proto_cultures. Click on the Icon to read more about SIMA.